Marvin Lewis, the former Cincinnati Bengals head coach and current Arizona State co-defensive coordinator, interviewed for the Jets’ head coach opening on Tuesday afternoon, the team announced.
The Houston Texans and Detroit Lions have also interviewed Lewis, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Lewis is the second candidate the Jets have interviewed for their head coaching vacancy. New York spoke to Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy on Wednesday.
Lewis coached the Bengals from 2003-2018 and had a 131-129-3 record. He made the playoffs seven times, but failed to win a single postseason game. Lewis won four AFC North division titles and was the NFL’s Coach of the Year in 2009.
Joe Douglas has a connection to Lewis dating back to their days in Baltimore. Lewis was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2000, the first year that Douglas was a scout for the Ravens.
Lewis could likely be the most experienced head coach that the Jets interview in their search. Prior to Lewis, the Jets had not requested to interview a candidate with previous NFL head coaching experience. Douglas said earlier in the week that such prior experience in not a requirement, but the Jets are looking at a wide net of candidates.
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